San Vito Lo Capo

San Vito Lo Capo is considered something of a hidden gem, an attractive coastal town lying just outside the lively port city of Trapani at the base of the limestone cliffs of Mount Cofano to the west of Palermo. This stretch of coastline is charmingly unspoilt by tourism and a stop-over to enjoy the great beaches and excellent seafood is not to be missed on a San Vito Lo Capo yacht charter. The historic Moorish centre of Trapani is worth visiting for its atmospheric network of narrow streets and baroque churches – go in the early evening and enjoy the passeggiata. There are plenty of decent restaurants, with cous-cous a local specialty. Nearby, the Zingaro Nature Reserve occupies a 7 kilometre (4 ½ mile) stretch of the coastline.

The coves, grottoes and sea stacks that have been etched into the cliffs by the sea contrast dramatically with the stunning azure waters and a day spent anchored here, enjoying the beautiful swimming and snorkelling conditions, perhaps taking a hike along the pebbled shoreline is a chance to experience one of the most beautiful places on the island first hand. The humid micro-climate supports over six hundred species of plants, some of them quite rare, and ornithologists flock (sorry!) here to observe the birdlife, which includes eagles, peregrine falcons and a number of owls.

The town of Scopello featured as one of the locations for the movie ‘Ocean’s Twelve’ has a number of good places to eat. Inland, Erice – with a special affinity for Venus, the goddess of love - is one of Italy’s most spectacular hill towns. The medieval streets meander past churches, forts and cobbled piazzas and there are outstanding 360 degree views – on a clear day you can see Tunisia. Be sure to sample the town’s dolci ericini, sweets made by the local nuns, and the belibrutti marzipan concoctions that are a local specialty. Segesta, the 5th century BC temple founded, like Erice, by the Elymians, is situated splendidly on the edge of a deep canyon in the midst of wild and desolate mountains. In the summer months, Greek plays are staged here.